BILOXI, Mississippi -- Consultant Charles Johnson told a standing room only audience and the Biloxi City Council Tuesday that the city's proposed baseball stadium project is a home run.

"I can't think of a better location," Johnson said of the project, "or one that needs it more."

The economic impact study, compiled by Johnson's company, Johnson Consulting of Chicago, Ill, suggests millions of dollars in revenues could be had by the city from a AA minor league baseball stadium, while only sharing in a portion of the cost.

The city has proposed to issue $21 million in bonds to fund the stadium, along with $15 million from the state, coming from a BP grant. In addition, the stadium is planned for property owned by the Beau Rivage adjacent to the intersection of I-110 and U.S. 90. The casino would donate the land.

"You're providing a smaller percentage of the stadium cost, but still engendering all the tax revenue benefits," Johnson said.

The study estimates $25.4 million in direct spending from the stadium, with total spending of $34 million. In addition, taxes generated are estimated at $4 million in the first year, with the city receiving $1.54 of those revenues.

View full sizeAn artist's rendering of the proposed minor league baseball stadium in Biloxi.File Photo/Gulflive.com

Those revenues would more than adequately cover the annual debt service on the $21 million in bonds, the report says.

The report also investigated several other minor league stadiums built in recent years, including those in Tulsa, Okla., Pensacola, Fla., Birmingham, Ala., Trustmark Park in Jackson, Miss.

If the stadium is built, the plan is to bring an existing Southern League AA to Biloxi. Johnson said the stadium's proximity to casinos and beaches may make Biloxi "the most attractive destination in the entire Southern League."

The study estimates average attendance for games at the Biloxi stadium at 4,300, which would put it in the "top tier" of Southern League teams. Average total attendance for all events, including concerts and festivals, is estimated at 445,000.

Councilman George Lawrence, who has indicated he would prefer the stadium be built in east Biloxi, asked Johnson if his firm considered any other potential sites in Biloxi. Johnson said no, the focus of the report was the Beau Rivage property.

Councilman Kenny Glavan also asked if anything was left out of the report, given that it was completed in less than two weeks. Again, Johnson replied no, saying he simply put additional staff on the project to complete it more quickly.

Lawrence noted the study only estimated about 104 events at the stadium each year, meaning it would sit unused many nights "unlike a Bass Pro Shop. It's open 365 days. If we could get a Bass Pro Shop, that would be huge."

Councilwoman Dixie Newman asked Johnson if any of his company's previous study's which supported stadium construction had not panned out. Once again, Johnson's answer was no -- all of the stadium projects they found to be favorable and were built turned out to be successful.

He also added there have been stadium projects which his company studied and did not recommend.

Councilman Felix Gines asked what Johnson thought would be more successful -- a theme park or a stadium.

Johnson noted theme park construction is more costly, but added "I don't think they are mutually exclusive. I think you should try to have both. I think one can help fund the other."

"If you don't do something," Johnson said. "You're at risk. You have a small overall economy, but you have a larger tourism economy than anyone else (on the coast). You have the third largest gaming economy in Mississippi behind Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

"You only have to pay for a portion of (the stadium), you get more tax revenues from it than anyone else and you get a chance to change your economy."

Councilman Paul Tisdale noted Johnson is putting his company's and his own reputation on the line with the report -- and assessment with which Johnson agreed.

"I'm very comfortable with our findings," he said.

City spokesperson Vincent Creel said the complete report from Johnson Consulting would be available later Tuesday at the City of Biloxi website.